New Testament Course(Note: this course was taught at Westtown School in 2001-2)

NT Worksheet #1INTRO TO NEW TESTAMENT

Homework:Use your bibles to answer the following
questions & to help familiarize you with the content & organization of
the New Testament.You should be
able to answer these questions easily even if you are not using a study
bible.You can use the table of
contents at
the beginning of your bible and brief looks at the books themselves.

How many books are in
your NT? ____ (Unlike the OT, the NT
canon is the same for all Christians)

How many books are in your Old Testament?
________

What were the 5 sections of
the OT? (see back of Worksheet #7 or #20a)

The New Testament also includes 5 sections. (If a section includes
only one book, name it.)

I. Gospel.How many books make up this section?

What are they basically about?

Which is the shortest?__________Which 2 are the longest? ___________& ___________

Given what apocryphal books in the OT were, what do think "apocryphal
gospels" are?

II. History.How
many books make up this section?

What is the subject matter:

III. Letters (or
"epistles") by the apostle, Paul.How many of these are in the NT?

Which 2 are the longest? Which is the
shortest?

How are they arranged in the NT?

What section of the Old
Testament was arranged in the same way?

IV. Letters by church
leaders other than
Paul.How many of these are there? ______

1st Corinthians is
written by _____It is addressed________________________

1st Peter is written
by ______ It is
addressed to _______________________

Who wrote Hebrews? __________Whom is it addressed to?
________________________

V. Apocalyptic
prophecy.How many books are in this section? _______________________

What is the content of this section? ________________________________________________

What book(s) in the OT had similar content?
_________________________

(This side for class notes
only.)What does the word "Gospel" mean?
______________

The contents of 3 gospels overlap in so many places, that
it is possible to lay out all the passages in these 3 books side by side to
compare how they are arranged.An
example can be found on Page 1841-55 of the HarperCollins Study Bible.These
3 gospels are called _____________ gospels (meaning to view side by side "at a
glance").These 3 gospels are:

_____________ , ______________ & _____________ .

The "synoptic question"
involves theories as to why these 3 gospels are so similar.

Which gospel is shortest?
_______ . Nearly all of it is included in_________ & _________

The gospel of Mark includes
primarily ________________________ & __________________

In
addition, most of what is included
in the 2 longer synoptic gospels but is missing from the shortest synoptic gospel is the same,
although it is arranged differently.This has led to the theory that the authors of the 2 longer gospels had
access to another collection
besides Mark which these scholars call _______ from the German word for
"source". Note that no one has an actual copy of this collection-it's only a
theory! (part of one answer to the "synoptic question".)

This additional shared material
includes:

For example, 2 sections we
already learned are included in these 2 gospels but found nowhere else in the
gospels are ________________________& __________________________

Make a diagram that shows2 early sources:
this theoretical answer to
the synoptic question: (are used later by)

In this theory, which gospel2 gospel writers:
was written first? _________

Although the content of the synoptic gospels is very
similar, there are important differences.These include:

1. 4.

2. 5.

3. 6.

Characteristics of the
Gospel of John:3.

1.4.

2.5.

Do scholars & believers agree on who actually wrote
the books of the NT? _____ .(But:

virtually everyone agrees that
___________ & ___________ were written by the same author.)

NT - Worksheet #2BIRTH OF JESUS

Reading
Assignment (for next class)

Matthew 1:18-2:12 (skim
1:1-17)

Isaiah 7:14 (this verse only)

Luke 1:1-2:20 - especially
1:5-45 and 2:1-20.

John 1:1-14.Also look briefly at opening of
Mark's gospel.

Notes
on reading:Matthew 1:23 quotes Isaiah 7:14. Are they the same? If
not, how do they differ?

What explanation would you
suggest for the difference? (Hint: if you have a study Bible you can use
footnotes.)

What two contrasting
explanations of Jesus' origins is Matthew trying to establish in 1:1 and
1:18-20? (Note: Luke also uses both of these, though his geneology comes later
in 3:23-38.)

1.

2.

Which gospel includes wise
men?

How do the wise men refer to
Jesus? (i.e. with what title?)

Which gospel includes
shepherds?

Who in Genesis had a birth
story similar to Elizabeth's birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:7-13)?

What happened when Mary goes
to see Elizabeth (Luke 1:44)?

What English word
(translation of the Greek word "Logos") does John use to refer to Jesus in
1:1-14?

How is Jesus' birth described
in the gospels of Mark and John?

Notes on Class Discussion:Define the Jewish idea of Messiah:

Which is the earliest of the four gospels?

How does that gospel describe Jesus' birth?

Jesus was popularly known to have come from Nazareth.Why is it considered so important for
Luke to put his place of birth as being in Bethlehem?

Is there a certain inconsistency in Matthew and Luke's two
different accounts for Jesus' origins (one of Jesus' geneology and one of his
virgin birth)?

Are the geneologies in Matt 1: and Luke 3:23-38 the same?
If not, how do they differ?

Why might Luke go to such lengths to describe the
relationship between John and Jesus' mothers?

What name do Roman Catholics give to Mary's song in Luke
1:47-55?

What role does it play in the faith practice of many Roman
Catholics?

What are some of the positive and negative dimensions of
the special role that Mary plays in the faith of many Roman Catholics?

Joseph Campbell urges people to re-interpret old religious
principles of their tradition in a new light that is more meaningful for them
in their own time and life experience.How could this be done with the virgin birth?

What parts (if any) of the accounts of Jesus' birth strike
an especially positive chord for you?

How does the account in John fit in with the general way
in which John approaches his account of Jesus' life and role?

What
2 actions does Luke report Jesus' parents did with the baby Jesus in 2:21-24?

What
does 2:41 describe his parents doing each spring?

What does this suggest is Joseph & Mary's attitude
towards the Jewish law codes we looked at in Exodus, Leviticus and
Deuteronomy?(Note this is being reported
by Luke, a gospel-writer who is generally believed to have been a gentile, that
is a non-Jewish, Christian.)

What
3 things does Luke say the Holy Spirit did to/with Simeon (2:25-7)?

1.

2.

3.

What
did the Holy Spirit do earlier to Mary (in Lk 1:35 - cf. Matt 1:20)?

To
Elizabeth (in Lk 1:41)?

What is this Holy Spirit we are beginning to hear a lot
about?

What is the key message
Luke is trying to drive home by including the story of Simeon in his gospel?

Anna
is included only in Luke's gospel.She is described as a prophet.Who is the only other woman referred to as being a prophet so far in the
Bible?

Women play a more important
role in Luke than in any of the other gospels.Many scholars believe the gospel writer Luke lived in an
area outside Judea.How might this
have impacted the way Luke described the role of women in his gospel?

What
is the difference between a canonical and an apocryphal gospel?

Only one story about
Jesus' youth is included in the canonical gospels (Lk 2:41-51).What idea about Jesus does this try to
communicate?

How does this contrast with the
childhood stories in the apocryphal infancy gospel?

What do you think it would be
like to have miraculous or supernatural powers as a child?

Some Christians believe that
Jesus took on the role of messiah (i.e. to be the special instrument of God's
redeeming role in the world) when he was baptized by John the Baptist as an
adult (when the Holy Spirit descended upon him and a voice spoke from heaven
saying "This is my son of whom I am well pleased") rather than at
conception.How does this effect
one's view of Jesus' childhood and adolescence?

R: How many of the 4 gospels include the story of Jesus'
baptism by John the Baptist?____

Which gospels start their account
of Jesus' life with this story? ___________________________

What response does Mark report (in 1:5) that John is getting to his
preaching?

What
does Mark report (vs.6) John wears and eats?

How
would you characterize John's message
(content & "tone") as reported in Matthew 3:7-10?

All
4 gospels quote Isaiah 40 in describing John's ministry. What 2 words in 40:
1-2 seem to contrast with the tone
or spirit of John's message? ________________ and _________________

Does John believe himself to be the messiah (Luke 3:15-18)? What does he
say about this?

What does Jesus see when he is
baptized by John (Mark 1:9-11)?

What does he hear?

C: What were the characteristics we
listed of a prophet's message earlier (Wksheet #24 pg 3-4)?

In terms of this
definition, should we consider John the Baptist a prophet?

Which
Hebrew Bible prophets we studied had a message with a tone similar to John's?

What
was the meaning of water baptism by John?

What
was its meaning to early Christians?

To
Christians today?

How did the early church interpret the phrase
to "baptize with the Holy Spirit"?

Why do Quakers reject water baptism?

How
do Quakers interpret baptism with the Holy Spirit?

Extra credit: The film describes water batpism as an
"ancient Hebrew rite". Can you find any record of its being used by Jews prior
to John as reported in the gospels?

The Relationship between
John the Baptist and Jesus

R: How does Mark (reread 1:14-15) describe the timing between John's and Jesus' ministries?

What
phrase does Mark report Jesus begins his preaching with (1:15)?

C: According to the film, how would the Roman
authorities have interpreted this phrase?

Matthew
(in 3:2) begins his account with John
proclaiming exactly this message.What does this suggest about the relationship between John and Jesus?

In
Mark's report in 1:15 of Jesus' first preaching has him using a phrase from
Isaiah 40: 9 that is not in John's
message.How does this indicate a
possible shift in Jesus' message from John's?

R:Mark and
Luke are silent on why Jesus comes to John to be baptized.The biblical scholars in the film
assert that it seems obvious that Jesus was (at least for a some period) a
follower of John's.How does
Matthew (in 3: 13-15) describe John's response when Jesus comes to be baptized by him?

C:
A biblical scholar in the film called this a "gloss" by the gospel writer.What does this mean?

How
does the gospel writer John (no relation! - in John 1:29-36 and 3:25-4:3)
describe John the Baptist's view of Jesus?

R: Does Luke (see Lk 7:18-20) support this viewpoint on
how John the Baptist views Jesus?

How
does Jesus respond to the questions from John's followers?

What
contrasting picture do we get of Jesus' and John's lifestyle from what Jesus says (in Luke 7:33-34) they were each
being criticized for by strict Jews?

C: Which lifestyle seems to you to be more "holy" - the one described for
John or for Jesus?

R: What happens to John (see Matt 14:1-11)?

How
do Jesus & his followers respond to John's death (v.12-13)?

IN-CLASS WRITING (John the
Baptist)

(Checking
your notes on page 3 & 4 of Worksheet #24)

()What is the Hebrew Bible prophets' role:

()Who do they direct their message towards (i.e. who's their audience)?

()What is their message?

()What response do they get?

Check off
on which of these John the Baptist seems to fit the definition?

Why do you think all four gospels begin Jesus' ministry
with John's baptism?Why do they
consider him critical to their gospel about Jesus?

NT - Worksheet #5Temptation in the Desert

Readings:Luke 4: 1-13

What
do you think Luke means in saying Jesus is "full of the Holy Spirit"?

What
just occurred in Chapter 3 that caused Jesus to be in this state?

When
did we read about important things happening in the desert in the Hebrew Bible?

These three temptations have great symbolic meaning.You do not have to believe in the devil
to recognize these as real threats to the integrity and mission of great men
and women.These represent very
real challenges that leaders, particularly powerful spiritual leaders, have to
face successfully.

Define
temptation:

What
was the 1st temptation?

What
do you think this symbolizes?

What
was the 2ndtemptation?

What
does it symbolize?

What
is the 3rd temptation?

What
does this symbolize?

Discussion
questions in class:

1.
What are some of the other temptations that leaders face?

2.
What are the greatest temptations faced by prophets we've studied like St.
Francis, Gandhi and Martin Luther King?

3.
Which of these kinds of temptation do you think would be the most challenging
for you?

R - What does Luke describe Jesus doing in the
synagogue in Nazareth as the first act of his ministry?

As a special guest or
favorite son returning home he is invited to read from the Torah. He selects a
passage in Isaiah that is a messianic prophesy (Isaiah 61:1-2). He says "This
passage is fulfilled today in your hearing."

Does
this sound like a primarily religious or political announcement? (It's from
Isaiah 61:1-2)

It sounds fairly political - or at least economic

What
kind of response does he get initially from the people there?

At first people are
impressed - by his eloquence, his speaking "with authority" as Friends would
say

Why
does the response of his listeners change?

He suggests that a prophet (like himself) will not be
accepted at home. He implies that favor may pass from Jews to others.

What
do they then try to do to him?Try to toss him over a cliff.

C - What is the "year of the Lord's favor" refer to?
(see Leviticus 5:8-12)

"Jubilee Year" =every 50 years when slaves are freed,
debts forgiven, land redistributed (given back to original family owners, etc.
- a Mosaic law never really practiced.A kind of "super Sabbath".

Reverse is for 2nd day (homework & discussion)Again, R=notes on
readingC=in-class discussion

Choosing the Twelve Apostles - Luke 6: 1-12

R - How does Jesus prepare himself for the important
decision of choosing disciples?

C - What are other times Jesus (with or without his closest disciples) choose a similar way to pray?

Have
you found Jesus' way of preparing for this decision a helpful way for you to
feel close to the Spirit or get in touch with something important in your
heart?

What
are "Apostles"?

The Apostles' Mission - Luke 9: 1-6

R - What does Jesus give the apostles before he sends
them out?

1.2.

What
does he tell them to do?

1.2.

What traveling instructions does he give them?

C - Why?

Sending Out the "Seventy
Disciples" - Luke 10:1-12, 10:16-24

Why
should disciples travel in pairs?How did Quakers later utilize this same principle?

What
kind of harvest is Jesus talking about?Do you think there is a need for such a harvest today?Why or why not?

How
do you imagine the community of Jesus' closest followers related to each other?
Worshipped?Supported
themselves?Made decisions?

Who is your "true
family"? - Luke 8:19-20

R - How does Jesus respond when his family tries to
talk to him?

C - What is Jesus trying to get across here?Does this mesh with the 5th
Commandment (see Exodus 20:12, p. 116 in Study Bible)?Do you agree with Jesus about this?

II.What does it mean to "hear the will of God and do it?

Take up your cross &
follow Christ - Luke 9:23-25

R
- What are the 3 things Jesus says
are required to be a follower of his?

1. 2.3.

C - What do these actually mean in practical terms?

Can
someone who wants to be a follower of Jesus (or
the "Inward Christ") still do these today?

Is
suffering for a cause foolish?Do
you think martyrs make the choices they do for personal glory?

Do
you see "denying yourself" as a negative or a positive act?Can it be a joyful act?

Weighing the cost of
faithfulness - Luke 14: 25-33

Jesus
suggests it is reasonable to estimate costs before one acts.Is this a good idea before one chooses
to be a follower of a great spiritual leader or of the Living Spirit?

Why
does he end up this section by suggesting that people have to give up their
possessions to become his disciple?

The Rich Ruler - Luke 18: 18-30

R - The young ruler asks what he must do to inherit
eternal life. How does Jesus' reply first?

What
was the "one thing still lacking" that Jesus felt this man needed to do?

C - Dietrich Bonhoffer was a Christian pastor who took
part in a plot to kill Hitler. He who wrote a book in a German prison shortly
before his death, called The Cost of Discipleship.In the end, how do
you feel about this whole idea of discipleship?

NT Handout

New Testament

Some useful definitions from the dictionary

dis·ci·ple

Etymology: from Latin, pupil
Date in English: before 12th century1: one who accepts and assists in spreading the
doctrines of another: as a: one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ's
followers according to the Gospel accounts b: a
convinced adherent of a school or individual2capitalized: a
member of the Disciples of Christ founded in the U.S. in 1809 that holds the
Bible alone to be the rule of faith and practice, usually baptizes by
immersion, and has a congregational politysynonym see FOLLOWER

apos·tle
Etymology: from Greek apostolos, from
apostellein to send away, from apo-
+ stellein to send
Date in English: before 12th century1: one sent on a mission: as a: one of
an authoritative New Testament group sent out to preach the gospel and made up
especially of Christ's 12 original disciples and Paul b: the
first prominent Christian missionary to a region or group2 a: a person who initiates a great moral reform or who
first advocates an important belief or system b: an
ardent supporter : ADHERENT3: the highest ecclesiastical official in some church
organizations4: one of a Mormon administrative council of 12 men

T.Peter's definition:

a.group of 12 disciples appointed by Jesus to be his
chief followers and leaders of his movement.

b.after Jesus' death, became the leaders with the most
authority in the new Christian church

c.a new apostle was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot
after Judas' betrayal of Jesus & death

d.Paul called himself an apostle after his conversion.
As such he is obviously in a different category since he did not know Jesus
personally while Jesus was on earth, nor is there any record of him being
selected officially by the other apostles.

blas·phe·my
Date: 13th century1 a: the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of
reverence for God b: the
act of claiming the attributes of deity2: irreverence toward something considered sacred or
inviolable

Reverse is for 2nd day (homework &
discussion)Again, R=notes on readingC=in-class
discussion

We will study a variety of stories
today of Jesus healing the sick and casting out demons.Pay attention to hismethods.Do you believe it is possible to cure
mental or physical illness by spiritual means?

Healings at Capernaum - Luke 4: 31-44Capernaum was a village on the sea of Galilee that Jesus
made the center of his ministry. See map in back of study bible.These are the 1sthealings reported in Mark and
Luke.

R - What phrase does Jesus use in addressing the demon
in v. 35?

What role does touch
play in Jesus' healings? (v. 40)

C - What does it mean to speak with "authority and
power"?

What do you think it means to
"rebuke a fever"? (v. 39)

Is "laying on of hands" used
today in churches?

Faith and the forgiveness of sins - Luke 5:
12-26

R - What do friends of the paralyzed man do that
impresses Jesus (v. 19-20)?

What
does Jesus do that the Pharisees consider blasphemous (v.20-21)?

C - Why does Jesus tell the leper to go to a priest
after he's healed (v. 15)?

Is
it harder to heal paralysis or forgive sins?Who do you
think can forgive sins?

The
crowds following Jesus - Luke 6:17-19

R - What are the 2 reasons the crowds are coming to
Jesus (v. 18)?

1.2.

What happens when people in the crowd touch Jesus (v. 19)?

Feeling
the power&Raising a dead girl to life -
Luke 8:40-56 (end of chap.)

R - How does Jesus know he was touched by the woman
with hemorrhages (v.46)?

Who
does Jesus give the credit to for this healing (v. 48)? Why?

C -What
do the Mosaic laws say about being touched by someone hemorrhaging?

Who
laughed in the Hebrew Bible because they doubted God's power to work a miracle?

Extra credit: Can you find a case where Jesus uses a paste as part
of curing blindness

The
Wedding at Cana - John 2:1-11

R - What miracle does Jesus do in this story?

What motive does John seem to suggest that Jesus has for doing
this miracle (v.11)

C - Is this a good reason to do a miracle?

How is this different from the miracles Satan asked Jesus
to do in the desert and from the pinnacle of the temple (Luke 4:1-13)?

This is the 1st miracle of Jesus according to
John. Why do you think John starts with this miracle?

Calming the waters - Matthew 8:23-7

R - What is Jesus
doing while his disciples are petrified by the storm (v. 24)?

How does Jesus respond to his disciples fear (v.26)?

C - Do you think Jesus was judging his disciples too
harshly in this?

What
does it mean to "rebuke" wind & sea?What did Jesus rebuke earlier (see
reverse of sheet)?

Do you think humans can control nature
through command?

Feeding of the 5000 - Matthew 14:13-21

R - What is Jesus'
motive or reason for curing the sick (v. 14)?

How did the disciples want the crowd to get fed?

C - Some people have suggested that this miracle can be
explained because once Jesus showed his faith by starting the meal with little
food, people began bringing out food they had been hiding.Which explanation moves you more or has
more power for you?

Walking on Water - Matthew 14:22-36

R - How do the
disciples react when they see Jesus (v. 26)?

What happens to Peter when he becomes afraid?

What is the definition of to "worship" someone (as in
v.33)? (check a dictionary)

C - Have you ever felt like you were sinking in deep
water and needed someone to hold you up?

What do some Christians mean
by the phrase "I took Jesus to be my Lord and personal savior"?

c. says his true family is those who hear God's will & do itd. shares food with them

e. tells them to follow the commandments

Take up your cross & follow Christ - Luke
9:23-257. Jesus lists the 3 things that are required to be a
follower of his. These include to take up your cross daily, to follow him, and
(Name the 3rd requirement Jesus lists)CHOOSE ONE
ONLY

a. to
deny yourselfb. to give to the poorc. to fast

d. to read the scripturese. to pray constantly

f. to believe he is the Messiah

The Rich Ruler - Luke 18: 18-30

8. The young ruler asks what he must do to inherit
eternal life. What does Jesus 1st tell him to do?

a. prayb. follow the 10 commandmentsc. become Jesus' disciple

d. honor his father and mothere. be baptized

9.What was the "one
thing still lacking" that Jesus tells this man he needs to do?

ON WORKSHEET #8 on MiraclesHealings at
Capernaum - Luke 4: 31-44

10. Jesus is
described here as using a specific method of touching people that is often today used in churches when people
need healing. This method is: _________________________________

Faith and the forgiveness of sins - Luke 5: 12-26

11.
The Pharisees accuse Jesus of blasphemy in this story.This is because :

a. what he says is so unpopularb. he heals on the Sabbath in violation of the Mosaic
code

c. he
claims to be the Messiahd. he claims to do something only God can do.

The crowds following Jesus - Luke 6:17-19

12. What are 2 reasons crowds are coming to Jesus?**CHOOSE 2**:

a.
Because he=the Messiahb. to hear him

c. John
the Baptist's recommendationd. everyone else is coming

e. anger at Roman rulef. be cured of their diseasesg. resentment at the
scribes & Pharisees

Feeling the power&Raising a dead girl to life - Luke 8:40-56

13. How does Jesus know he was touched by the woman with
hemorrhages?

a. She was certified as healed by a priestb. By the Holy Spiritc. Peter tells him"

d. She called out "Rabbi, heal me!"e. He felt the power go out of him

14. Why does Jesus give her the credit for this healing
?________________________________

(FROM BACK OF WORKSHEET)The Wedding at Cana - John 2:1-11

15.
What miracle does Jesus do in this
story?

a. cast out a demonb. make a paralyzed man walkc. refills the wine supply d. keep the bridesmaids' lamps burninge. provide food for the guests

16. What motive does John suggest that Jesus has for
doing this miracle?

a. to
reveal his gloryb.
he's thirstyc. compassion

d. to obey the Holy Spirite. to show his faith in God

Calming the waters - Matthew 8:23-7

17. What is Jesus
doing while his disciples are petrified by the storm? He:

a. praysb. walks on waterc. fishesd. sleepse.
discusses the Torah

Feeding of the 5000 - Matthew 14:13-21

18. Wat reason or
motive does it say here that Jesus has for curing the sick?

We'll break up in class into 5 groups.Each group will look at 1 or 2 parables
in depth, read some commentary on the parable(s) and present it/them to the
group.I'd like you to try and
skim through all the parables above, but focus mainly on the 1 or 2 you're
assigned. You only have to answer before class the questions below for your own
group's parable(s).Divide up in
your small group who will cover what. Assign someone in your group to:

·read
the handout from William Barclay's Daily Study Bible on your passage.

·read
the footnotes in the HarperCollins study bible on your parable(s)

·read the other groups'
parables & compare them to your group's

·read the parable out
loud (if it's short) or summarize it for the class as part of your presentation
and

·read Matthew 13:10-17 (where Jesus
explains why he teaches in parables) and consider whether you feel your parable
works well for Jesus' purpose.

You are in Group #: ___Define a parable:
______________________________________

Group #1 WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?
(The Good Samaritan) Luke 10:25-37 (parable=v.30-5)

Why does Jesus tell this story? (what is it a response to)

Why
do the first 2 people, who are Jews, refuse to help?

What
was the relationship between Jews and Samaritans at that time?

If Jesus were telling this
story in the US today, what group do you think he would choose instead of a
Samaritan?

How about in Serbia?In Japan?In India?In
Nazi Germany?

Given the context of attitudes
& beliefs at the time, how radical is the message of this parable?

Group #2 - WHAT IS THE KINGDOM
OF GOD LIKE? - Luke 13:18-21.

The
Parable of the Mustard Seed.According
to the film we saw ("From Jesus to
Christ") at the beginning of this term,
how would farmers at the time be likely to react to this parable?

What
characteristics of the kingdom of God is Jesus trying to communicate in this
parable?

V.The Parable of Yeast. What
characteristics of the kingdom are communicated by comparing it to yeast?

What do these 2 parables have
to say about how people might work who are trying to build the "kingdom of God"
today?

The
Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chaps. 5 through 7) is one of the most important
statements of religious teaching ever written.It has had a major impact not only on the Christian church
but on many non-Christians like Gandhi.Few scholars believe that it is really a single sermon.Instead it is a summary of all of Jesus'
most important religious teachings that the gospel writer Matthew was familiar
with.About half of the "Sermon"
is found in Luke, broken up into several smaller pieces. This material is
almost entirely absent from Mark and John.

The Sermon begins with a section known as "The
Beatitudes".These are
paradoxical, revolutionary statements that assert the idea that a number of
groups who are considered by society in general to be the lowest or least
fortunate in the world are in fact the most fortunate or lucky in God's kingdom or view of reality.

A
shorter list is given in Luke that contrasts rather sharply with Matthew's
version.What is the difference
between the two lists?Compare
Matthew 1st beatitude with Luke's 1stbeatitude, Matthew's 2nd with Luke's 3rd,
Matthew's 4th with Luke's 2nd , Matthew's 8th
& 9th with Luke's 4th.Which is list seems to you to be more"spiritual"? Which is
more political? Which list speaks more powerfully to you?

Homework:After
you read through both passages, choose one of the beatitudes below.Choose one that seems to speak
especially powerfully to you - or that challenges you or perhaps even disturbs
you.Write one half page
about what this beatitude seems to be saying to you. I will collect these.

Note: You do not have to answer the questions below before
class. These questions & comments are to help you gain insight into the
readings and take notes on class discussion.

Blessed
are the poor in spirit - Matthew 5:3. (cf. Luke 6:20 & 24)

This beatitude has been translated in many different
ways.One I especially like is
"Happy are those who know their need of God."If you are utterly destitute, then you are utterly dependent
on others.Dependency is usually
considered a bad thing.How could
dependency be considered a blessing or a thing to work towards?

Blessed are those who
mourn - Matthew 5:4.(cf. Luke
6:21b & 25b)

This could also be translated loosely as "Happy are those
who are vulnerable" - or "Happy are those who are willing to let themselves
feel pain."Does this mean regular
mourning or grieving for losses? Some think it refers to mourning for one's
shortcomings and wrong acts.Or
for being willing to take on the pain & suffering of the world.How do most people wall themselves off
against the suffering of the world? (on TV, in the papers)

Blessed are the meek -
Matthew 5:5

Meek is not a word used
much today.If it is used it has a
bad connotation - kind of like victim or wimp or a "loser".One way to put it might be "Happy are
those who have none of the world's kind of power." (political power, wealth,
weapons, etc.)It says these will
inherit the earth: How revolutionary is this politically!

Blessed are those who
hunger and thirst for righteousness - Matt 5:6.(cf. Luke: 5:21a & 25a) This certainly doesn't refer to the kind of temporary,
mild hunger & thirst that we experience in a very wealthy part of the
world.When people suffered hunger
or thirst in Judea in the 1st century CE, they really suffered! What
does it mean to suffer deeply in longing for righteousness? What is
righteousness?

Blessed are the merciful
-Matthew 5:7The
Catholic Worker talks about the "works of mercy" (feeding the hungry, clothing
the naked, housing the homeless, healing the sick).Being merciful involves compassion for those who are
experiencing suffering and doing something about it.

Blessed are the pure in
heart - Matthew 5:8What does it mean to be "single-hearted"?How hard is this to do?!Why would those who do this be able to
"see God"?

Blessed are the
peacemakers - Matthew 5:9

Who are the real
peacemakers?In many periods the
church preferred to think of this in terms of inner or spiritual peace.Do you think this is what Jesus meant?

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness'
sake - Matt 5:10-11. cf. Luke 6:22-3, 26 Again,
what is your attitude towards martyrdom?Some students were expelled from public schools in the past for wearing
a button for peace or an armband for the war dead.A man was run over by a train and lost his legs during the
Vietnam War trying to block shipments of bombs to Vietnam.Dietrich Bonhoffer was a Christian
pastor executed by the Nazis for trying to assassinate Hitler.Would you consider Martin Luther King a
martyr?Gandhi?Do you think some people take on
persecution joyfully?

Extra credit:Read the
article (by yours truly) on the Beatitudes as a new model for male
spirituality.Write ½ page on the
article discussing whether you think it would apply to important spiritual
issues facing young men - or women - in your generation.

Was
Jesus a pacifist?Is it right for
his followers to fight in wars?Many people believe that service in the military was considered to be
inconsistent with being a Christian in the early church.If so, this changed radically when the
Emperor Constantine made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire in
the 4th century CE.

Extending the Law: Matthew
5:13-37After the beatitudes, the Sermon on the Mount proceeds
to a series of lessons where Jesus compares his teaching with what was required
in the Mosaic covenant.In each
case Jesus extends or fulfills the
requirements of faithfulness under the Hebrew code.How does the 1st "extension" (v. 21-2)
address the roots of violence?

***Love Your Enemies:Matthew 5:38-48 (cf. Deuteronomy 19:21)***Many
believe that the NT reaches its culmination in this passage.Is this a realistic way to live
personally? As a movement?As a
nation?Can you see yourself
living this way?

Peace on Earth or a
Sword?Matthew 10:34-9Is
this about war?Personal
violence?Or the nature of
discipleship?

Driving Out the
Moneychangers:Matthew 21:12-3 (cf. Mark 11:15-8, John 2:12-22)

Why
is Jesus so upset about what is happening in the Temple?Does this story justify the use of
violence? Is anyone killed?Is
this as an example of "tough love"?

Render unto CaesarMatthew 22:15-22 (cf. Luke 23:1-3)This passage is often
utilized to justify obedience to the state and its requirements, even though
Jesus clearly recognized the question as a trap to get him in trouble with the
Romans.Luke 23:1-3 indicates
Jesus was known for advocating tax refusal. What do we owe the state?What do we owe
God?

Government as the Agent of
God - Romans 13Are governments always God's agents working for your good?

What
does it mean to "throw off the deeds of darkness & put on our armor as
soldiers of the light?"

In
the end, do you think the Amish and other Christian pacifists are right in
their reading of Jesus' message?

God Speaks Out!

In response to recent events on
Earth, God, the omniscient creator-deity worshipped by billions of followers of
various faiths for more than 6,000 years, clarified His longtime stance against
humans killing each other.

"Look, I don't know, maybe I
haven't made myself completely clear, so for the record, here it is
again," said the Lord, betraying visible emotion during a press conference
near the site of the fallen Twin Towers. "Somehow, people keep coming up
with the idea that I want them to kill their neighbor. Well, I don't. And to be
honest, I'm really getting sick and tired of it. Get it straight. Not only do I
not want anybody to kill anyone, but I specifically commanded you not to, in really simple terms
that anybody ought to be able to understand."

Worshipped by Christians, Jews, and
Muslims alike, God said His name has been invoked countless times over the
centuries as a reason to kill in what He called "an unending cycle of
violence."

"I don't care how holy somebody
claims to be," God said. "If a person tells you it's My will that
they kill someone, they're wrong. Got it? I don't care what religion you are,
or who you think your enemy is, here it is one more time -- No killing, in My
name or anyone else's, ever again."

The press conference came as a
surprise to humankind, as God rarely intervenes in earthly affairs. As a matter
of longstanding policy, He has traditionally left the task of interpreting His
message and divine will to clerics, rabbis, priests, imams, and Biblical
scholars. Theologians and laymen alike have been given the task of pondering
His ineffable mysteries, deciding for themselves what to do as a matter of
faith. His decision to manifest on the material plane was motivated by the deep
sense of shock, outrage, and sorrow He felt over the Sept. 11 violence carried
out in His name, and over its dire potential ramifications around the globe.

"I tried to put it in the
simplest possible terms for you people, so you'd get it straight, because I
thought it was pretty important," said God, called Yahweh and Allah
respectively in the Judaic and Muslim traditions. "I guess I figured I'd
left no real room for confusion after putting it in a four-word sentence with
one-syllable words on the tablets I gave to Moses. How much more clear can I
get?"

"But somehow, it all gets
twisted around and, next thing you know, somebody's spouting off some nonsense
about, 'God says I have to kill this guy, God wants me to kill that guy, it's
God's will,'" God continued. "It's NOT God's will, all right?

"News flash !! -- 'God's will' = 'Don't murder people !!'

"Worse yet, many of the worst
violators claim that their actions are justified by passages in the Bible,
Torah, and Qur'an.

"To be honest, there's some
contradictory stuff in there, okay?" God said. "So I can see how it
could be pretty misleading. I admit it -- My mistake. I did My best to inspire
them, but a lot of imperfect human beings have misinterpreted My message over
the millennia. Frankly, much of the material that got in there is dogmatic,
doctrinaire inerrantist bullshit. I turn My head for a second and, suddenly, all this stuff
gets twisted around and added in, and everybody thinks it's God's will to kill
as retribution for a harm done. It absolutely drives Me up the wall."

God praised the overwhelming
majority of His Muslim followers as "wonderful, pious people,"
calling the perpetrators of the September 11 attacks rare and evil exceptions.

"This whole medieval concept of
the jihad, or
holy war, had all but vanished from the Muslim world in, like, the 10th
century, and with good reason," God said. "There's no such thing
as a holy war, only unholy ones. The vast majority of Muslims in this world reject the
murderous actions of these radical extremists, just like the vast majority of
Christians reject those two bigots on The 700 Club."

Continued God, "Read the book:
'Allah is kind, Allah is beautiful, Allah is merciful.' It goes on and on that
way, page after page. But, no, some assholes have to come along and revive this
stupid holy-war crap just to further their own hatefilled evil agenda. So now,
some people are thinking all Muslims are murderous barbarians. They are not. Thanks, Taliban, 1,000 years of
pan-Islamic cultural progress down the drain."

God stressed that His remarks were
not directed exclusively at Islamic extremists, but rather at everyone whose
ideological zealotry overrides their ability to comprehend the core message of
all world religions.

"I don't care what faith you
are, everybody's been making this same mistake since the dawn of time,"
God said. "The Muslims massacre the Hindus, the Hindus massacre the
Muslims. The Buddhists, everybody massacres the Buddhists. The Jews, don't even
get me started on the hardline, right-wing, Meir Kahane-loving Israeli
nationalists, man. And the Christians? You people believe in a messianic
prophet who says, 'Turn the other cheek', who gave you the two Great
Commandments, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your might and all your mind. This is the greatest and the
first commandment. And the second is like to it. Love thy neighbor as
yourself', but
you've been killing everybody you can get your hands on since the
Crusades."

"Can't you people see? Can't
you see that each and every one of you is a part of Me, and when you kill, you
hurt Me?And
I don't like getting hurt anymore than you do!!!"

God got quiet for a minute, then
said, "You know, I set this thing up with Love, and gave you all My power
to think and to create, so that you could learn the meaning of My Love. I could
change it, you know, but then you would be no higher than the other animals,
which you don't appear to be at present."

"There are a ton of different religious
traditions out there, and different cultures worship Me in different ways. They
call Me by all sorts of different names, and I don't really care by what name
you call on Me, as long as you call on Me often. My basic message is always the same
.... Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Shintoism .... in every truly
spiritual belief system under the sun, they all say you're supposed to Love
your neighbors, folks! It's not that hard a concept to grasp."

"Why
would you think I'd want anything else? Humans don't need religion or God as an
excuse to kill each other -- you've been doing that without any help from Me
since you were freaking apes!" God said. "The whole point of
believing in Me, the I AM of you, is to have a higher standard of behavior, to
LEARN and KNOW and GIVE and RECEIVE LOVE. How obvious can I get?"

"I'm talking to all of you,
everywhere!" continued God, His voice rising to a shout. "Do you
hear Me? I don't want you to kill anybody. I'm against it, across the board.
How many times do I have to say it? Don't kill each other anymore -- ever! I'm
serious!"

Upon completing His outburst, God fell silent,
standing quietly at the podium for several moments. Then, witnesses reported,
God's shoulders began to shake, and He wept.

Reading:Luke 7:36-50,
10:38-42, 18:15-17. John 4:1-34, 8:1-11

The
role of women was very poor in Jewish society in the 1st c. CE.Men were permitted to divorce their
wives at will. Women were considered property of their fathers or husbands. One
of the most revolutionary aspects of Jesus' life involved his relationship with
women.Homework: summarize stories and at least begin to fill in "interpretations"
below.

Bathing Jesus' feet in
oilLuke 7:36-50

Summarize briefly the story:

What
does this story tell you about Jesus:

Mary & MarthaLuke 10:38-42

This story occurs only in
Luke. The gospel writer Luke is believed to have grown up outside of Judea in
an area where the role of women was better.This is reflected in a number of differences between his
gospel and the other gospels in terms of women's role.

Summarize the story:

What does this story tell you
about Jesus:

Unless you become like
a child...Luke 18:15-17

Summarize the story:

What does this story tell you
about Jesus:

The
Woman at the WellJohn
4:1-34

Summarize the story:

Give 3 reasons why this
conversation is extraordinary (so much so that the disciples criticize him for
having it):

1.

2.

3.

What do we learn about Jesus
from this story?

What religious question does
the woman pose to Jesus?

How does Jesus reply?

Who will cast the first
stone...John 8:1-11

Summarize the story:

What
does this story teach you about Jesus?

What do you think Jesus was writing in the dirt with his
finger?

What
picture do you gain overall of Jesus from this collection of stories?

New Testament - Worksheet
#13THE FINAL CONFLICT

Part I:ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM through GETHSEMANE

The Kingdom of God is
within youLuke 17:
20-21

What kind of a Kingdom isthis?How does this contrast with a) a political or military view
of the Kingdom of God and b) an Apocalyptic view of the Kingdom?

The entry into
JerusalemLuke 19:
28-47

This story is celebrated in
Christian churches each year on "Palm Sunday".What do the disciples & crowd say & do as Jesus
passes through the streets?

What
is the meaning of this cry & action? Why do the Pharisees ask Jesus to stop
his disciples?

Do
kings usually ride on donkeys?Why
do you think Jesus felt called to enter the city in this way?

The Last SupperLuke 22: 1-34

What holiday are the
disciples celebrating?

How do different churches
interpret Jesus' request to "do this in remembrance of me"?

In the Gospel of John Jesus washes the disciples' feet
(see John 13: 1-15).Why do you think Jesus did this &
what does it say about a new kind of leadership?

The Garden of
GethsemaneMatthew 26: 36-46andLuke 22: 39-46

How
is Jesus portrayed as feeling about his impending death? (note Luke 22:44!)

Part II: Who Killed Jesus & Why?

Read & compare these accounts of Jesus' trials and
sentencing in Matthew, Luke & John.How is the emphasis different? How do these reflect on the values and
assumptions of each gospel writer?

How
do these accounts relate to anti-Semitism?

Contrast
the reason suggested for Jesus' arrest in the film "From Jesus to Christ":

Part III:JESUS' EXECUTION

Reading:
Matthew 27: 27-54.Luke 23:
32-49.John 19:17-30.

Is
it likely that a crowd of Jews would be standing around as Jesus died?

What
book of the Hebrew Bible do all three gospel writers draw on in their account
of the crucifixion of Jesus?

Reflect
on what each of the following statements that are attributed to Jesus on the
cross imply to you about Jesus' feeling and understanding about what was
happening to him.How do they
reflect the viewpoint of each gospel author?

6) Acts 1: 1-11 (written by author of Luke - comes right after the
gospel of John)

7)
John 19:38-20:18 (the empty tomb)

8) John 20: 19-31 (appearance
to the disciples)

9)
John chapter 21 (appearance at the Sea of Tiberias)

(Fill
in below from your reading where applicable - otherwise take notes on group
discussion)

VII.THE BURIAL & EMPTY TOMB

Where
are most of the disciples after Jesus' arrest and crucifixion?

Who
buries Jesus?

Who
are the women who go to the tomb? What is their relationship with Jesus and the
circle of his closest followers?

Why
do the women go to the tomb?

Whom
does the angel speak to first?

Who
sees Jesus first?

Do
you see any significance in the fact that Jesus first appears to his women
followers?Do you see any irony in
the role women have traditionally played in the Christian church?

Are
the women believed by the other apostles?

LATER
APPEARANCES

How
many times does Jesus appear according to the book your are reading?

Who
else sees Jesus after the women at the tomb?

Where
(which part of Palestine) do these other appearances occur?

What
evidence is there that Jesus is not a ghost?

What
indication is there that he is not a "regular human being"?

What
does Jesus do during these meetings?Does he give his disciples any instructions or orders?

THE
ASCENSION

Does
your story include an ascension? If so where does it occur and when?

THE
MEANING OF THE RESURRECTION & ITS IMPACT ON
THE NEW MOVEMENT OF HIS FOLLOWERS

Why,
according to the film, were the disciples so devastated by Jesus' death?

We
may not be able to tell for sure if the resurrection really "happened"
historically, but there is no doubt that the early Christian movement believed that it did.What impact did it have on people in the movement?

How
might it be possible for someone to continue to lead a movement beyond
death?

The
Pharisees and Sadducees were two competing religious "parties" or sects in 1st
century Judaism.Saul (later St.
Paul) was a Pharisee.Why would
the Pharisees be more likely or open than the Sadducees to accept the idea of
Jesus being resurrected?

Do
you believe in Jesus' literal bodily resurrection from the dead?

If
so, what role does it play in your faith?If not, can you re-interpret (as Joseph Campbell suggested) the idea of
the resurrection in some new way that is meaningful for you?

JESUS OF MONTREAL

We will be
watching this film all week in Quakerism.It is difficult to follow because of the subtitles but you can learn a
lot from this film if you give it a chance and follow it closely.

It is about an
actor who is invited to a rather unorthodox priest to develop an updated
version of the Passion Play (the Easter story) for the cathedral in
Montreal.He collects a group of
actors to join him in this project.They develop their own script as a group, partly based on some radical
ideas about Jesus given to them by the priest.

The film as allegory.What is this film basically about?i.e. What
story is it trying to tell in a new way?

The troupe of actors. What jobs do the members have before they
join this troupe?

What jobs did Jesus' disciples have before they left
their work to join him?

What kind of life do the members of the troupe share
together in the commune?

How are the individual members of the company changed by their experience of joining the troupe?

The lawyer.Who does he represent in this
allegory?

What does he propose to the troupe at the end of the
film?(What does this tell you
about the writer's attitude towards the later church?)

The church hierarchy.Who do they symbolize?

Who do they get to arrest Danielle?

Who do you think the priest is in
this allegory?

The media.How does the popular view of the troupe shift and why?Does this seem an accurate reflection
on Jesus' shifting popularity with the people of Jerusalem?

Danielle.What kind of person does the film
portray Jesus as being?

Do you agree with this portrayal?If not, where do you see it as
inaccurate?

The first three gospels are so similar that they share many
passages that are identical word for word.They can be laid out side by side for comparison, which is
why they are called the "synoptic gospels".How is John different in language or tone from Luke? There are also major differences in content.

Although John is believed by many biblical scholars to have
been put into its final form later than any of the other gospels, it is almost
certainly based on much earlier writings, oral stories and traditions within
the early Christian church. These differ almost entirely, however, from the
sources used by the other three gospels.

John 1:1-18The Prologue

This gospel starts off right away with a very different tone
than Luke.This first passage
reads a bit like a mystical or philosophical essay.Only at the end of this section do we realize that the
writer is talking about Jesus.

The synoptic gospels are very circumspect about Jesus' actual
identity.To the extent other
people acknowledge him as Messiah, he urges them not to talk about him in this
manner.The author of John comes
right out at the very start and declares Jesus' oneness with God, the Father
and Creator of the world.This
foreshadows Jesus' striking statement later in this gospel that "Before
Abraham was, I am."How do
you respond to these statements about Jesus?

John 1:18-39John the Baptist

While in Luke, John the Baptist is reported as being unclear
about Jesus' role (see Luke 7:18), there is no such ambiguity here.Note that referring to Jesus as the
Lamb of God or Chosen One is similar to declaring him to be the Messiah but is
very different than declaring him to be God.

John 1:40-51Calling of the first disciples

Notice again that Jesus does not mince any words about his
own very special role. The term "Son of Man" is another expression
used for Messiah.

*John 4:1-42The Woman at the Well(please read this story closely!)

This is one of the most extraordinary stories in the New
Testament.Like most of the
stories in John, it is completely absent from the synoptic gospels.

Samaritans were regarded by Jews at the time as sort of
"black sheep" cousins.When Jesus was asked in Luke "Who is my (true) neighbor", it
is no accident whom he chooses as the subject in the story of the Good
Samaritan.Parallels would be
Blacks or homosexuals in this country, Communists or Jews in Nazi Germany,
Untouchables in India or Koreans in Japan.It would have been considered extraordinary to Jews at the
time that a major religious leader would be speaking to either a woman or a
Samaritan, much less discussing salvation with a Samaritan woman.Who could "Samaritans" be
at Westtown?

What do you
think Jesus means when he talks about "living water"?Does the woman understand his
meaning?Why does she conclude
that he is a prophet?

The passage concludes with Jesus and the woman having a
theological disucssion! ("Where does salvation come from?")How does he respond to her question?Why do you think early Friends liked
this passage so much?

John Chap. 14-15 The Farewell Discourses(you can read through this lightly)

How does
this compare to the beatitudes or other sections in Luke describing Jesus
teaching?How does it compare to
using parables to communicate religious ideas?

Does the
way the author of John describes Jesus' teaching appeal to you?What sections particularly speak to you
or give you trouble?

Many Christians find these sections very comforting.Do you respond this way?

John Chap. 21A Meeting on the Beach (read / reflect more closely again)

The Gospel of John appears to come to a close at the end of
Chap. 20.John's writer/editor
chose to append a very extraordinary resurrection story at the very end.Why do you think he included this
story?Do you like this story?

Why might
the author of John have emphasized very ordinary daily activities like fishing
and cooking a meal?

Why do you
think Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him?What kind of love is Jesus asking of Peter (and of us?)

Have you
ever felt "carried somewhere that you did not want to go"?Do you like the idea of being carried
by God or would it be repulsive or terrifying?

New Testament - Worksheet
#16THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

The Book of Acts is our best
record of the life of the early Christian communities.Virtually all biblical scholars agree
that it was written by the same author as the Gospel of Luke.Acts is essentially the second half of
a single book in two parts, Part I being on the life of Jesus and Part II being
his history the early church.

Baptism with the Holy SpiritActs 1:7-8, 2:1-21, 8:14-17

Before Jesus dies and again after
his resurrection, he promises the disciples that they will be sent a comforter
or guide after he is gone.In Acts
1:7-8 just prior to his ascension he instructs them to wait in Jerusalem "a few
days" for this event to occur.

What does the term "Pentecost"
refer to? _________________________

# days between Jesus' triumphal
entrance into Jerusalem & his execution? _____

# days from Jesus' death to his
resurrection?____

# days from the resurrection to
the Ascension? _____

# days from Ascension to the Pentecost? _____

What happens?

The Holy Spirit has been referred
to earlier in the gospels although this term does not appear in the Hebrew
Bible.The Pentecost story is the
first account of "baptism by the Holy Spirit" and the speaking in tongues that
is almost always associated with it in the early church.

What gifts does the Holy Spirit provide
those who receive it in addition to the ability
to speak in tongues?

1.

2.

3.

Requirements to be a Christian:Acts 2:37-41, 8: 14-17

What were the two key elements required for entry
into the Christian community?

1.

2.

What was the controversial 3rd step for Gentiles who wanted to become Christian which
was eventually abandoned?

CommunismActs 2: 42-7, 4:
32-7, 6: 1-7

These are 3 descriptions of what the life of the
primitive Christian communities was like.What groups that we studied have relied heavily on these passages?

What characteristics are ascribed to the early church
in addition to the sharing of belongings among the believers?

Healings and miraclesActs
3:1-10, 4:28-31, 5:12-6, 9:32-43, 20:7-12.Do
these descriptions sound similar to or different from the miraculous acts of
healings we read about Jesus doing?

Has this kind of faith healing continued to be part
of Christian practice to the present?

"We must obey God rather than men"5:27-9How was the early church treated by Jewish
authorities? By Roman authorities?What happened to Stephen? To Peter? To Paul?

"God doesn't live in houses"7:44How does this relate to the Jesus'
conversation with the woman at the well, where he says that God wants to be
worshiped "in spirit and in truth"?

George Fox was fond of saying the church is not a
building but a group of people and that what most people called churches were
simply "steeplehouses".

Conversion of Saul9:1-31What party was Saul part of before
his conversion?

List other "calling" experiences we have read about
and compare them to Saul's:

Is Paul accurate in referring to himself as an
"Apostle" (see 1:21-22)?

Peter's Dream 10:1-11:18. What central controversial question in the life of the early Church
does this section deal with?

"Church government" How is Jesus reported as saying that people should handle conflict
within the disciple community in Matthew 18: 15-18?

How is the replacement for Judas selected in Acts
1:21-26 (note also definition of Apostle)?

How do Amish select ministers?

Selection of elders6:1-7

Council at Jerusalem 15:1-35

NT Worksheet #17PAUL & HIS LETTERS

Paul

He was a Jew. He was born around 10 AD in Tarsus and known
as Saul of Tarsus. (Saul is his Hebrew name - Paul is his Greek name.) He studied as a Pharisee (the Jewish
school of thought who believe in the resurrection of the body) in Jerusalem
with Gamaliel, one of the most famous teachers of the day.He was also a Roman citizen.

During his early twenties he was actively involved in
persecuting the early Christians.Much of his life and work is described in the book called the Acts of
the Apostles.Acts chapter 9
describes his conversion on the road to Damascus (circa 34 AD).

He was recognized, along with Barnabus, by the church
fathers in Jerusalem, as one of the two apostles to the Gentiles (i.e.
non-Jews).

The letters of Paul

Most are clearly written by Paul.(Most scholars agree theLetter to the Hebrews is an
exception.)

These are not treatises or tracts but letters. Similar style
to other letters written around that time.

Most are written to churches he founded - are addressed to
friends.(Exception is the Letter
to the Romans - he had never been to Rome at the time the letter was written.)

They are each written with a specific purpose in mind -
usually to address a specific problem or issue being confronted by a given
church.

Key issues addressed by Paul in his letters:

·Relationship
between Judaism and Christianity.The "true Jew".

·Encouraging
unity within the faith community

·Ethical
issues

·"Justification
by faith"

Passages to read & reflect on today:

Romans 12:1-2"True
Worship" - Being
utterly transformed in our very being (metamorphosis) by God.Not being conformed to the world around
us.

Have you
ever had a life-transforming experience?

Are there
ways in which you feel you are too "conformed to this world"?

1 Corinthians 12:4-31Spiritual
gifts. The faith
community as one body.

Are there
other spiritual gifts you would add to Paul's list?

What are
gifts you recognize in friends? Your parents? Members of your faith
community?In yourself?

Faith into Practice

Assignment: Research how a group has tried to live
out the New Testament vision of Christianity.Include in your paper the ways in which you feel this
group has or has not practiced in a way consistent with the message and life of
Jesus and/or the early Christian community as we have studied it in the New
Testament.

I have
included on the back of this sheet a number of examples you could choose. You
are not limited to this list. I am also open to alternative ways of presenting
your material such as in an art project, short videotape, script of a play,
etc.Your topic needs to be
approved by me.

You do not have to personally agree with the
faith approach of the group you study.However, I urge you to try and find a group that you are drawn to,
genuinely interested in or as sympathetic with as possible. Please do not choose a group that you are
particularly unhappy with and use the paper as an opportunity to describe how
bad what they are doing is.

Length of
written paper:3-5 pages, typed,
doublespaced, 12 point font with 1" margins.

You must include a bibliography citing
sources. For print sources, utilize any standard bibliographical citation
system. If you utilize web sources, citing the web address alone is not sufficient. Include as much of the
following information that you can obtain from any website you utilize:

1.The name of the article you utilized
on the site

2.The name of the author of the
article

3.The name of the website

4.The name of the organization that
sponsors or developed the site (e.g. a university, a church, etc.)

5.The web address.

Schedule for project:

·Feb. 4thor 5th:present the topic you plan to write
about (via email or a note)

·Feb.
13th or 14th:submit a one page outline for your paper

·Feb.
24th or 25th:written paper due

·Sometime
between Feb. 17th and end of term: schedule a 5 minute verbal
presentation to class of your findings.

Here are
examples of groups you could study:

1.Unusual forms of church community
that try to live out the New Testament message in a radical way.

·The
Amish

·A
cloistered monastery (devote themselves almost entirely to prayer)

·The
Bruderhoff (a 20th century communal Christian movement with
communities in Pennsylvania and New York)

·The
Shakers (a 19th century American spinoff from Quakers that practiced
celibacy and communal sharing of goods. They also did sacred dance and
developed many innovative inventions used today)

·radical
Franciscan friars who try to live out St. Francis of Assisi's vision

·Reba
Place Fellowship (Christians bought many homes together in one urban neighborhood
and share incomes, childcare, worship during the week)

·Church
of the Savior in Washington DC. Small church groups where people commit
themselves to live out a mission of peace & justice or inner city work.

2.A groups trying to carry their
Christian beliefs into the social order

·The
Iona Community (an ecumenical community in Scotland I've visited where members
commit themselves to peace & justice work based on the island where
Christianity first reached Scotland)

·Archbishop
Desmond Tutu & other Christians active in overcoming apartheit in South
Africa

·Dietrich
Bonhoffer and other Christians who resisted Hitler

·Fellowship
of Reconciliation - international pacifist organization that has been working
for peace for many decades - Aminda Baird (the head's wife) grew up living on
the grounds of their North American headquarters.

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Quote that speaks to me

They that love beyond the world cannot be separated by it. Death cannot kill what never dies. Nor can spirits ever be divided that love and live in the same Divine Principle; the Root and Record of their friendship. If absence be not death, neither is theirs. Death is but crossing the world, as friends do the seas; they live in one another still. For they must needs be present, that love and live in that which is omnipresent. In this Divine Glass, they see face to face; and their converse is free, as well as pure. This
is the comfort of friends, that though they may be said to die, yet
their friendship and society are, in the best sense, ever present,
because immortal. - William Penn, More Fruits of Solitude, 1702.

Note: This passage was quoted by J.K.Rowling as the epigraph of her novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

It is as a "religion of life" that Quakerism will be presented in the future and is being presented now.

Its distinguishing note will be its resolve to bring all this human life of ours under the transforming power of spiritual life.It
will stand out against all divisions and compartments that separate the
sacred from the secular, the sanctuary from the outward world of
nature, the sacrament from the days' common work, the clergy from the
laity.

It will tell of a Christian
experience that makes all life sacred and all days holy, all nature a
sanctuary, all work a sacrament, and gives to every man and woman in the
body fit place and service.Its concern will be to
multiply men and women who will have a message of power because they are
themselves the children of light.It will claim the whole
of man's life, and the whole of life, individual, social, national
international, for the dominion of the will of God.

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